KL Rahul delivered a masterclass in patience and composure on Day 4 of the first Test at Headingley, notching up a vital century that anchored India’s second innings against England. The 33-year-old stood tall once again, reaching 120 not out off 227 balls at the tea break as India pushed their lead past the 300-run mark. Rahul’s innings came at a crucial juncture. After the early loss of captain Shubman Gill, he combined forces with vice-captain Rishabh Pant — who has been equally explosive in this Test — to steady the innings and frustrate England’s bowlers on a surface that still had enough for the pacers. His shot selection and ability to wear down the attack ensured India remained firmly in control as Day 4 wore on. Off the field, Rahul’s gritty knock drew a wave of admiration, none more heartfelt than from his wife, Athiya Shetty. The former Bollywood actress took to Instagram to share a simple but touching message that resonated widely among fans.
Athiya Shetty’s Instagram story for KL Rahul’s century (Image via X/@athiyashetty)
“This one is special,” wrote Athiya, who has over 4.7 million followers on the platform. She has often been a quiet pillar of support for Rahul, and her post celebrating his latest milestone quickly went viral.
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Who played a more crucial role in India’s innings?
As Rahul looks to push India towards an unassailable lead going into the final day, his calm defiance at Headingley has once again underlined why he remains one of India’s most reliable top-order batsmen in testing overseas conditions. Besides the right-handed batter, wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant also scored a century. His explosive 118 from 140 balls set the tone for India’s solid innings.
